Authorities have deployed both police and military operatives to rescue students abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State.
Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu A. Abiodun, confirmed the incident occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m. on 21 November 2025, when “some armed bandits invaded … the school’s hostel,” abducting an undetermined number of students.
In response, tactical police units, military components, and other security agencies have been dispatched to the scene. According to the police, these teams are “combing the forests with a view to rescuing the abducted students.”
Commissioner of Police CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman reaffirmed the command’s resolve “to rescue the students unhurt” and appealed to the public for patience and support: “members of the public … remain calm and support security operations to rescue the students.”
The police also indicated that the incident would be investigated, including possible liability on the school’s management for continuing to operate “contrary to the State government directive on closure of schools in the area due to security challenges.”
